This is the author’s final, peer-reviewed manuscript as accepted for publication. The publisher-formatted version may be available through the publisher’s web site or your institution’s library.
Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: nutrition and lifestyle for a healthy pregnancy outcome Sandra B. Procter, Christina G. Campbell (Lead Author)
How to cite this manuscript If you make reference to this version of the manuscript, use the following information:
Procter, S. B., Campbell, C. G. (2014). Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Nutrition and lifestyle for a healthy pregnancy outcome. Retrieved from http://krex.ksu.edu
Published Version Information
Citation: Procter, S. B., Campbell, C. G. (2014). Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Nutrition and lifestyle for a healthy pregnancy outcome. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 114(7), 1099-1103.
Copyright: © 2014 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi:10.1016/j.jand.2014.05.005
Publisher’s Link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212267214005012
This item was retrieved from the K-State Research Exchange (K-REx), the institutional repository of Kansas State University. K-REx is available at http://krex.ksu.edu
Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Nutrition and Lifestyle for a Healthy Pregnancy Outcome ABSTRACT It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that women of childbearing age should adopt a lifestyle optimizing health and reducing risk of birth defects, suboptimal fetal development, and chronic health problems in both mother and child. Components leading to healthy pregnancy outcome include healthy prepregnancy weight, appropriate weight gain and physical activity during pregnancy, consumption of a wide variety of foods, appropriate vitamin and mineral supplementation, avoidance of alcohol and other harmful substances, and safe food handling. Pregnancy is a critical period during which maternal nutrition and lifestyle choices are major influences on mother and child health. Inadequate levels of key nutrients during crucial periods of fetal development may lead to reprogramming within fetal tissues, predisposing the infant to chronic conditions in later life. Improving the well‐being of mothers, infants, and children is key to the health of the next generation. This position paper and the accompanying practice paper on the same topic provide registered dietitian nutritionists and dietetic technicians, registered; other professional associations; government agencies; industry; and the public with the Academy’s stance on factors determined to influence healthy pregnancy, as well as an overview of best practices in nutrition and healthy lifestyles during pregnancy. POSITION STATEMENT It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that women of childbearing age should adopt a lifestyle optimizing health and reducing risk of birth defects, suboptimal fetal development, and chronic health problems in both mother and child. Components leading to healthy pregnancy outcome include healthy prepregnancy weight, appropriate weight gain and physical activity during pregnancy,
1
consumption of a wide variety of foods, appropriate vitamin and mineral supplementation, avoidance of alcohol and other harmful substances, and safe food handling. This position paper provides Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics members, other professional associations, government agencies, industry, and the public with the Academy’s stance on factors determined to influence healthy pregnancy, as well as emerging factors. Women with inappropriate weight gain, hyperemesis, multiple gestations, poor dietary patterns (eg, disordered eating), or chronic disease should be referred to a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) for medical nutrition therapy. For specific practice recommendations, refer to the Academy’s practice paper on “Nutrition and Lifestyle for a Healthy Pregnancy Outcome.”1 TRENDS IMPACTING PREGNANCY OUTCOMES Birth Defects, Low Birth Weight, Viable Birth Trends Pregnancy is a critical period during which maternal nutrition and lifestyle choices are major influences on mother and child health. Improving the well‐being of mothers, infants, and children is key to the health of the next generation. One in 33 babies (3%) is born with a birth defect;2 in 2010, low birth weight (LBW) infants comprised 8.1% of US births.3 Birth defects and LBW are ranked 1st and 2nd, respectively, among the 10 leading causes of death in US infants in 2006.3 A woman’s chance of having a healthy baby improves when she adopts healthy behaviors, including good nutrition, recommended supplementation and avoidance of smoking, alcohol, and illicit drugs before becoming pregnant.2 Obesity and Gestational Diabetes
2
Prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) is an independent predictor of many adverse outcomes of pregnancy. The prevalence of obesity in women 12 to 44 years of age has more than doubled since 1976. In 1999‐2004, nearly two‐thirds of women of childbearing age were classified as overweight (BMI ≥25), and almost one‐third were obese (BMI ≥30).4 Overconsumption/overweight throughout the reproductive cycle are related to short‐ and long‐term maternal health risks, including obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. Caloric excess does not guarantee adequate intake or nutrient status critical to healthy pregnancy outcomes.5 To improve maternal and child health outcomes, women should weigh within the normal BMI range when they conceive and strive to gain within ranges recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2009 pregnancy weight guidelines.4 High rates of overweight and obesity are common in population subgroups already at risk for poor maternal and child health outcomes, compounding the need for intervention .4 In addition to health risks, gestational weight gain beyond the recommendation substantially increases risk of excess weight retention in obese women at 1 year postpartum.6 More information on obesity and pregnancy outcomes can be found in the “Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and American Society for Nutrition: Obesity, Reproduction and Pregnancy Outcomes.” 7 New diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are expected to increase the proportion of women diagnosed with GDM, with potentially 18% of all pregnancies affected.8 Immediately following pregnancy, 5% to 10% of women with GDM are found to have diabetes, usually type 2. Women who have had GDM have a 35%‐60% chance of developing diabetes in the next 10‐20 years.8 RDNs can provide valuable guidance to women seeking assistance regarding optimal weight and healthy food selection before, during, and post‐pregnancy. Additional information and guidance is available in the Academy’s GDM Evidence‐Based Nutrition Practice Guideline.9
3
Hypertension and Preeclampsia Prevalence of chronic hypertension in pregnancy in the United States is estimated to be as high as 5%. This is primarily attributable to the increased prevalence of obesity, as well as delay in childbearing to ages when chronic hypertension is more common.10 Hypertension in pregnancy can harm both mother and fetus, and women with chronic hypertension are more likely to experience preeclampsia (17% to 25% vs 3% to 5% in the general population).10 Age, preconception weight and health status, access to timely and appropriate health care, and poverty are some of the numerous factors affecting maternal health and the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy. Referral to the RDN and/or social worker may assure appropriate care will be available given the aforementioned factors that may influence maternal and fetal outcomes. OPTIMIZING PREGNANCY OUTCOMES WITH HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES Evidence is building that maternal diet and lifestyle choices influence the long‐term health of the mother’s children. Prepregnancy adherence to healthful dietary patterns, including the alternate Mediterranean Diet , Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and alternate Healthy Eating Index have been associated with a 24% to 46% lower risk of GDM.11 Population‐based research provides evidence that maternal metabolic conditions may be associated with neurodevelopmental problems including autism and developmental delays in children.12 Inadequate levels of key nutrients during crucial periods of fetal development may lead to reprogramming within fetal tissues, predisposing the infant to chronic conditions in later life. Those conditions include obesity, cardiovascular disease, bone health, cognition, immune function, and diabetes.13 Maternal weight gain during pregnancy outside the recommended range is associated with increased risk to maternal and child health.4 While physiological responses to prenatal overnutrition result in poor health outcomes that emerge in childhood and adolescence, fetal undernutrition
4
responses range from fetal survival to poor health outcomes emerging later in the offspring’s adult life.14 The IOM recommends that more US women achieve gestational weight gain within the range identified for their prepregnant BMI.4 Pregnant women benefit from eating a variety of foods to meet nutrient needs and consuming sufficient calories to support recommended weight gain. Details regarding recommended energy requirements and recommended weight gain during pregnancy can be found in the related practice paper.1 Energy Expenditure Physical activity during pregnancy benefits a woman’s overall health. In a low‐risk pregnancy, moderately‐intense activity does not increase risk of LBW, preterm delivery, or miscarriage.16 Recreational moderate and vigorous physical activity during pregnancy is associated with a 48% lower risk of hyperglycemia, specifically among women with prepregnancy BMI